Is your loved one in recovery from substance use disorder? Healing your family in the process means mending the bonds, embracing each other’s flaws, and growing stronger in the shared journey of recovery. Here are six tips to help you as a family begin healing together:

Entering rehab is a brave and extraordinary choice to make that can improve your life as well as the lives of everyone who’s close to you. It’s difficult for someone who hasn’t experienced addiction to understand it, leading the sufferer to experience shame and withdrawal. The nature of addiction makes it challenging to self-diagnose because the reward centers in your brain firmly compel you to continue using substances. If you’ve developed the strength and clarity to consider that you may need help, you should feel proud.

Going through a drug or alcohol detox can be extremely hard on your body and brain. It can also put you on an emotional roller coaster that you may not want to share. When you’re going through detox, however, you should definitely have someone available to monitor you and call for help if you are in danger.

Environment

Detoxing from any drug can leave you feeling nauseous and may lead to severe mood swings, violent outbursts or even death. Some drugs require a week to 10 days for effective detox to be complete, and your water intake and nutrition must be top-notch to prevent dangerous withdrawal symptoms. You may feel the need for multiple daily showers due to perspiration, and your sleep will be disrupted. You’ll find that a room with dark blinds will help you rest.

As a pastor, I often get asked what my must-have Christian books are. Reading is one of my favorite things to do in life. All readers are leaders, and all leaders are readers. Spending time in a book is one of my life’s joys. Not only does it help me grow in my relationship with God, but I also broaden and deepen my knowledge, reduce stress and create time for contemplation.

Below are my top five most cherished books in Christian literature. They offer insight to anyone—whether in recovery from drugs and alcohol or not. However, when I consider the best Christian books for alcohol and drug addiction, my list remains the same. The wisdom contained in these books will provide guidance and comfort to anyone pursuing recovery in the context of their Christian faith.

Entering rehab is a brave and extraordinary choice to make that can improve your life as well as the lives of everyone who’s close to you. It’s difficult for someone who hasn’t experienced addiction to understand it, leading the sufferer to experience shame and withdrawal. The nature of addiction makes it challenging to self-diagnose because the reward centers in your brain firmly compel you to continue using substances. If you’ve developed the strength and clarity to consider that you may need help, you should feel proud.